Minister of Electricity, will things change or will students still suffer?

On 6 March, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the appointment of a new, transitory ministry of electricity. This is in response to South Africa’s current electricity crisis that has led to a national state of disaster. The president stated that the main task of the new minister of electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, “will be to significantly reduce the severity and frequency of loadshedding as a matter of urgency”. It is unclear how long it will take for this goal to be reached but, in the meantime, individuals continue to suffer due to loadshedding. PDBY explores the local impact of loadshedding, both on UP student life and business operations in Hatfield and surrounding areas. Loadshedding has become a daily inconvenience that has greatly affected students’ routines and lifestyles. Students, especially those who do not stay in residences or homes that have a backup system, have had to plan their lives around loadshedding. “I had to learn how to plan ahead even with simple tasks like charging my phone and laptop, doing laundry and ironing my clothes,” said Nqobile Mtshweni, a second-year student at the University of Pretoria. Mtshweni, who stays at a residence that has no generator, has been forced to explore other alternatives such as studying at the campus library until the power comes back. However, even this solution has its constraints. “Loadshedding limits our study duration, as at night I cannot go to the library because it is not safe,” said Mtshweni. Furthermore, consumer habits have changed, especially concerning products that will spoil easily when the refrigerator or freezer frequently loses power. “I do not buy ice cream anymore,” said Mtshweni.

Students are not the only ones suffering; businesses have also been heavily impacted by the electricity crisis. PDBY interviewed the employee of a local laundromat, Mavis Gama, about the effects of loadshedding on the business, which has no backup system. Gama explained that when there is no electricity, clients disappointedly turn back with their laundry even when the solution of leaving their clothes and collecting it the next day is offered. And there is no guarantee that they will return the next day.

Even when clients do leave their clothes overnight, there remains the risk of the items not drying and consequently developing a stench. This leads to Gama having to wash the clothes again. “Water and soap get wasted immensely, too,” she said. The business explored a possible shut down in January, as it was not generating enough profit. While there are usually less customers during the festive season when students visit their homes outside Hatfield, loadshedding made the situation more dire. According to Gama, clients are very hesitant now. “The best solution to help the business adjust to this would be increasing the costs for the services we offer.”

What do citizens think about the appointment of the new minister of electricity? Both Gama and Mtshweni are sceptical. Gama believes that there will only be a difference if they implement the solutions and not just utter promises. Similarly, for Mtshweni, employing a new minister will not make any difference.

“Because as much as the loadshedding stages have been adjusted, it still does not eliminate the problem.”

PDBY also asked the opinion of Sipho Sihle Shange, a first-year student, who commented, “New people have been put in charge before, but there is still no difference. I honestly have given up on Eskom now.”

It remains to be seen whether there is light at the end of the tunnel or merely more darkness. Are you hopeful that things will change, or should citizens start exploring long-term solutions?

To PDBY’s beautiful, stylish presenter, Nothando, you always make me smile with your bubbly personality. Sushi some time?

To the Congolese, darkskinned, tall guy who took SPN 102 last year and is fluent in French, I think you have a gorgeous smile, an even more gorgeous laugh and the most handsome face! I know the best place to get chocolate milkshakes.

To the cute girl that wears cowboy boots and takes Medical Law, you’re really hot and I would like to ask you out. Also to the academic associate in admin law, I can never concentrate when you’re present.

Ayesha Osman

Due to the recent controversy surrounding SAUJS, the SRC, SASCO, PSC UP and the presence of Israeli Apartheid Week (13 to 17 March), PDBY finds it important to highlight the background of two of the key committees.

When was the committee founded at UP?

PSC Chairperson Meara Pillay, LLB postgrad: PSC was founded in 2021 by our former chairwoman, Hanan Jeppie, following the global outrage that occurred due to the bombing and airstrikes in Gaza at that time.

SAUJS Chairperson Sasha Said, BSW second year: SAUJS, which is an acronym for the South African Union of Jewish Students, is the representative body of Jewish students at the University of Pretoria. Jewish Students have been organising at the university for at least a decade.

What are your aims as a society?

Pillay: First and foremost, we aim to bring awareness to the plight faced by Palestinian citizens. Mainstream media neglects to cover the affairs of Palestine, and often their struggle gets lost and forgotten. Thus, we have taken it upon ourselves to educate the student population of the Palestinian liberation movement, continuously, whilst also pointing out the way in which Israeli policies mimic apartheid much like it had occurred in South Africa. Ultimately, we aim to abolish the presence of Zionism, as an ideology, in our higher education institutions of learning. Students in a democratic dispensation should be far removed from any presence of apartheid.

Said: Our core guiding principles are

Judaism, South Africa, and Zionism as these are important and relevant to every Jewish student. We aim is to uplift and enhance Jewish student life on campus, and this year we have taken an approach in which we want to help and enhance every single student’s life on campus.

What have you achieved so far?

Pillay: In 2022, PSC’s executive committee raised R20 000 in funds, which was donated to Palestine by the Gift of Givers on our behalf. PSC UP, in partnership with PSC Wits and our higher body, BDS, delivered a memorandum to the Department of

Vuyiswa Fumba

Baking, crocheting, gaming, pottery, language learning, reading, painting, and writing. Either a list of hobbies or a list of possible side hustles. As student life is costly and budgets are restrictive, oftentimes students resort to interesting ways to try to earn money. Some students have been resourceful enough to consider their hobbies and reframe them as a means to make money and improve their financial situations. From booking a guitar gig at Altum Bar to selling a R50 crochet beanie on campus, there are various ways to manage this transition, but what is the cost of old hobbies becoming new jobs (besides the R50 for the beanie, plus tax)?

In a world where everyone has to work to survive, hobbies have always been an outlet free from expectations. People could express themselves without the need to be particularly good at it and, without the impetus of a paycheck. They also offer a range of benefits: hobbies are effective stress relievers and overall mood boosters and they can contribute to one’s self-improvement on a large scale.

Needless to say, having hobbies makes you a more interesting person, engaging in activities without the promise of money or other external rewards makes for compelling stories and a diverse skill set. With the rise of side hustles and the resulting blurred lines between home and university life, it is hard to even find the time to invest in hobbies. Consider online gaming which has transformed from a leisurely activity to a very lucrative side hustle. According to Statista , the global online gaming industry amassed $17.3 billion in revenue in 2019, including the earnings of streamers and competitive gamers. This number is projected to reach $32 billion by 2027.

When there is no separation between leisure and work activities, there is no clear reason to prioritise one above the other. As a result, people end up dreading both their work/productive activities and their pastimes (many of which used to be relaxing). It sounds like a broken record when “capitalism” becomes the scapegoat for every social ill and “because of capitalism” becomes the pejorative answer to every question. Capitalism, though, has framed societal views around work in such a way that relaxing is not an option because economic conditions make it impossible not

International Relations. As of March 2023, the National Freedom Party has since drafted a resolution to downgrade South Africa’s embassy in Israel, which has now been passed by Parliament. We have gained widespread support on the Hatfield campus, acquiring almost 300 signatures during the 2023 marketing week. Upon recent developments regarding the partnership between our SRC and SAUJS, PSC UP has since formed a coalition with several other progressive societies at the university.

Said: So far during our term as SAUJS 2023, we have been working tirelessly to make this year as active and meaningful for students as possible after being off campus for so many years due to COVID. We have hosted two successful parties. Right now, we are running a “Necessity Drive” in which individuals or groups can donate items such as blankets, toothpaste/toothbrushes , pads, deodorant. and other essential items. We will be distributing these items to those who need them. We are in the works of partnering up with an orphanage here in Pretoria to take the children out to museums and other locations. We have partnered up with an old age home in order to write Mother’s Day and Father’s Day cards that we can deliver to the elderly who live there. As well as running events that correlate with Passover which celebrates the Jewish People leaving Egypt and making their way to Israel.

A message for students: